Adoration of the Shepherds 1480

Carlo Crivelli painted ‘Adoration of the Shepherds’ in the late 15th century, using tempera on panel. At first glance, you’re struck by its detailed realism, typical of the Renaissance, yet there is something otherworldly about the overall scene. The artwork is structured around contrasts. The intimate scene of the nativity contrasts sharply with the busy background, with the shepherds arriving and the city beyond. The figures are rendered with a precise, linear quality, set against a landscape that feels almost dreamlike in its haziness. Notice the muted yet rich palette, where earthy tones meet the deep blues and reds of the figures' garments, creating a sense of depth. Crivelli plays with our expectations, creating a space that is both familiar and strangely distant. This tension invites us to consider how the sacred and the everyday intertwine, challenging fixed notions of where the divine can be found. Ultimately, the work invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting the complex interplay between the earthly and the divine.